Guilty Viewing Pleasures: High School of the Dead

It's so wrong yet oddly so right?

Time to talk about some of the shows I've been watching during this time of October. Since everyone is gearing up for the start of the new season of "The Walking Dead", I figured I'd get caught up as best as I could. I didn't really look into the series till word of mouth spread on how great the series was. I watched the first season on Netflix but I learned that I had to wait awhile till I could see season two (I'm sure they'll release it once season three approaches.)

In the meantime I cruised thru netflix's suggestions after I finished up the first season. Besides having the usual shows on zombies I happened upon an anime called "High School of the Dead." I ended up stopping on that show and recalled how my brother was watching this show on his PC when fan-subbers where working on it. I didn't bother to ask him about it given how generic sounding the name was. I figured it was your typical zombie flick but this time with anime high schoolers.

I figured I'd give this series a try while I waited for season two of "The Walking Dead" to appear.

What I saw wasn't what I expected.

Honestly my thoughts on this series is quite ambivalent. One moment I hate it to it's core yet I couldn't stop watching it. I can't put my figure on as to why. Even now I'm at a loss for words to exactly describe how I felt about the show. All I know is I endured it and despite all I saw that seemed to go against what I liked about anime, I still liked it.

It wasn't until I saw this anime review, by a female reviewer (JesuOtaku) mind you, that was able to fully express what I felt about this series. So I figure instead of my trying to explain how I felt and what I liked/disliked about this show, I'd let this video speak for me. it pretty much covers EVERYTHING on my thoughts about "High School of the Dead".

In the end I have to admit I liked it. It was rather fitting for the holiday. Would I watch it again? I doubt it! But I can say this for certainty: Like other zombie movies/series out there, what is seen CANNOT BE UNSEEN.

I liked this anime series...

....pretty well. I watched a few episodes of Netflix. Not my favorite by any means (no anime series will ever compare to Ranma 1/2 or Ah! My Goddess in my book) but I still enjoyed it. Maybe I'll dig into the second season for Halloween.

nothing xould compare.

but it's good to see another anime watcher that enjoyed the series. I thoufht avout looking into the OVA, but I heard it,s almost borderline softcore porn. I shudder to think what could come of the second season. But deep down I can say I'd like to know what happena to the gang.

HSotD

I watched a few fansubbed episodes a while back. I thought it was a cool show, but the fan service was just unneccessary. If the anime didn't take itself so seriously, it wouldn't bother me so much. Do the later episodes get more less serious and more silly?

I saw the first season of the Walking Dead last year. I thought it was good. Instead of waiting on Netflix, I went to the original source, the comics. They are a bit different, but they're better.

hear sub is better.

the person behind the dub it seems totally disregaurded the original intent of the show. kinda want to see the subbed version.I think that's one of the reasons why I kept wqtching: to see if they cut down on the over-the-top fan service and decide to either be serious/campy.

the answer to your question I have to say is yes AND no, which is hard to explain.

thought about the comics but held off for the moment. If I get into it enough I just might.

Meh....

The show had it's ups but it also had its waaaaaaay downs. I'm personally not into the fan service at all. The one thing that pissed me off more than anything was the flash back/recap episodes. The damn show was only 12 episodes long!!! Did they think we would forget everything? Other than that it had some really silly parts.

I'm with you

I admit it has alot going against it. I myself can tolerate some fan service ( full metal panic) but thete is some that I just can't handle (strike witches). H.O.T.D was way too much. One moment I think they'll let up but then we get it all over again. Personally I was all for the recaps. so much junk was going on I was forgetting half of what I saw. Perhaps a good thing given all I saw. *shudders*. I can see how it could be "meh" yet it was a "meh" I was able to enjoy.

The Walking Dead

I like the show but I sometimes feel my attention drifting away when I watch it. It's interesting enough to hold my attention when important stuff happens but when the characters talk too much I begin to zone out. I like it though.

Also, it's not a zombie anime, but have you seen Witch Hunter Robin? I'm guessing you want to soak up all the spooky media you can this month and this show has a dark atmosphere, some creepy moments, and an occult storyline with non-irritating characters. I think you might dig it.

Walking Dead

I did see a episode but what tends to be the case for me if I'm not recording it, I tend to forget about it.I did like what I saw though. I recall hearing about about the anime with some mixed feelings about it. so it would'nt be something i'd pay to watch outside of normal expenses.

HOTD

It annoyed me at first but I learned to like it! I really enjoyed the art style & the flow of the animation even if the storyline was unoriginal schlock. I would love to see a videogame adaptation of it. I'd buy it day 1! (Especially if it was a horror themed beat em up)

I feel you.

It did the same to me as well, but I held on thinking it might changed it's act. It really didn't but I still enjoyed it after it was all said and done. Iit kinda felt like I was watching a videogame at times, or a cutscene from a video game. I credit that to the style they made the show along with the music selected during scenes.

It makes me wonder if they did do a videogame adaption, how would it look. I'm thinking Zombie Revenge like it was on the DC.